3. Control Measures Practical experience and scientific investigation have clearly proved that preventive measures are more economical and effective than curative. Failing prevention, everything points to the importance of dealing promptly with the first cases, owing to the risk of infection of the rest of the stock. Control measures may be divided into three classes: 1. Proper housing and feeding of fowls. General sanitation and disinfection. 2. 3. Administration of medicine to sick birds. The details to which special attention must be given are covered by the following axiomatic rules: I. Isolate birds recently purchased-for two or three weeks. 2. Isolate every bird that shows any sign of ill health. 3. Provide a fresh and pure supply of water in a shady position. 5. 4. Add Epsom salts (one teaspoonful to a quart) once a week to the drinking water. Give chickens daily a liberal supply of bran in addition to their other food. Feed birds on a varied diet, including green food. Arrange that birds have to scratch for some of their food. 7. Construct houses, nest boxes, etc., so that they can be readily and thoroughly disinfected. Houses should be free from drafts. 6. 8. Disinfect contaminated soil by spraying, liming, and resting. 9. Visit the roosts at night to detect cases of wheezing due to colds, and to search for mites and other pests. Keep on hand disinfectants, lice powders and medicines likely to be required. IO. 4. Nursing Sick Birds The small margin of profit on a single fowl makes dosing with medicines and nursing an unprofitable occupation, except in the case of valuable stock. If the treatment of a bird is undertaken, it should be borne in mind that more depends upon attention to the rules of good nursing than to the administration of drugs. Comfortable quarters, warm and free from drafts, clean straw, and invalid's diet of soft and easily digested food will all turn the chances in favor of recovery. Too often isolation is in effect a death sentence. The bird is put into cramped quarters, exposed to cold winds and beating rains, and, being in an out-of-the-way corner, is, perhaps, neglected instead of being specially cared for. Fowls that will not take food should be fed lightly, but frequently, with a spoon in order that their strength may be kept up. All stale food should be removed. 5. The Use of Drugs and Medicines Drugs and medicines likely to be required should always be kept in stock. The weekly use of Epsom salts, as a mild laxative for preventing intestinal disorders, is strongly recommended. Little faith should be put in drugs said to cure tuberculosis, cholera, etc. Below is given a list of the medicines generally required. The doses given in the table are for a medium-sized adult fowl; three-quarters as much should be given for a half-grown bird, and about |